Maui Wowie

This past weekend we went to Maui & stayed in Kaanapali at the Westin Villas. If you're ever in Maui I highly recommend this hotel/timeshare, we had a full kitchen, washer/dryer and dining area.

We found this great resturant/takeout called Honokowai Okazuya (the owner used to be the chef at Mama's Fish house). We ate there twice, wish we could have ate there the entire trip. The panko fish was amazing & ofcourse Josh had to top it off with mac salad to make it a well rounded plate lunch. The Burkards took us out to the Lahina Grill for dinner and champagne. While I was at the bathroom someone told the waiter it was my birthday, lucky me! BTW, it wasn't my bday, I wish they had told them I was 21. We did manage to get off our lazy butts to go snorkeling.At the hotel the Koi were huge and hungry. Big kid in the kiddie pool. Actually, when Josh did go down the slide a poor kid got a huge wave in his face.MolokaiWe went into Lahaina to do some shopping & stopped for some tasty drinks.The main reason we made the trip over to Maui was to go to our favorite resturant in the upcountry called the Hali'imaile General Store. Josh's parents have us addicted to the Sashimi Napoleon.

Lori's Bday

We celebrated Lori's birthday at Bucco De Bepo on Sunday & I think our waiter was from Italy...not. There were so many Italian knick nacks it hard to concentrate. It made Josh & I miss being on our honeymoon. I don't know what the guys are trying to do here, good thing they are friends.

Story time

Macie loves to read to my Dad, well not so much reading as describing the pictures and saying alot of "and then...but after that..." He is such a good sport.

Lazy Sunday

Josh's Hokuli'a job site office for the past few months. Rough life, look at the view from his office window.

Pool time at the hotel!

Big Island Fever

Training for Beijing 08, Japan VS Ireland. Ping Pong tourney. Sad to report Japan Lost. Visit to City of Refuge. "Aloha, ice cubes, mahalo"- The Curse of Lono by Hunter S ThompsonTurtles at the City of Refuge or as I used to call it as a child City of Refuse. Sunset and cocktails on our balconey.

Magma-I just like saying that...

The last time we visited the lava fields we bummed because we didn't get to see any lava. This time we were determined to see lava & drove 2 1/2 hours to Kalapana.
The previous day they had shut down the volcano visitor center due to "toxic fumes" from the sulfur. Being the paranoid freak that I am, I barrowed some masks from work. The fumes weren't bad & I only ended up using the mask for the porta potty, which I might add was really helpful!

Ropey Pahoehoe lava. (We also like to say Clinky a'a & Magma.)Josh following the orange stickers through the lava field down to the viewing area.
We watched the lava until it got dak & drove to Kea'au get some food. The only place open was L&L (Josh's fav) we sat on a wall & listened to a Jawaiian band that was playing in a bar nearby. We enjoyed watching all of the locals & their interesting outfits.

Field trip to Konatown

I went to Kona to visit Josh on Thursday & had a fun filled weekend. He was able to take off of work Thursday & Friday so we could have some vaah-kay. After the visit I really like Kona!?!?Josh enjoying a Scooner at the Harbor boat house pub. We love frosty glasses & fried foods! We drove north up the Kohala coast to Hawi so we could see how far the Ironman bikers have to go & to visit the town. It was really REALLY far! Once we got out of Kona the lava fields turned into lush green fields & it was a pretty drive.
We did some sightseeing while in Hawi because the Short and sweet bakery closed at 3pm. I had just missed them by a few minutes & was really sad, but at least I saved some calories.

Past Hawi we drove to the end of the Road to the Pololu Valley lookout. Not only was it an amazing view, but the "uncle" who owned the truck behind me was blaring Hawaiian music. I could really feel the Aloooha.